Flexible spirally-rolled polymer tube for monitoring and treatment of brain injuries

1 . A flexible spirally-rolled polymer microtube for in vivo monitoring and treatment of brain injuries, the tube integrally comprising one or more microsensors, wherein the microsensors monitor one or more parameters and the microtube is capable of delivering substances to the brain, removing substances from the brain, or both. 
     
     
         2 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the microtube comprises one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polyimide, poly(p-xylylene), and polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene (PDVF-TrFE). 
     
     
         3 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the microsensors comprise one or more pressure sensors, pH sensors, temperature sensors, glucose sensors, oxygen sensors, lactate sensors, pyruvate sensors, glutamate sensors, or carbon dioxide sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors comprise amperometric, hot anenometric, voltammetric, or potentiometric sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one of more of the microsensors comprise pressure sensors selected from the group consisting of piezoelectric, piezoresistive, and capacitive pressure sensors. 
     
     
         6 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors comprise temperature sensors selected from the group consisting of resistance temperature detectors and temperature sensitive resistors. 
     
     
         7 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors are fabricated on the exterior surface of the microtube. 
     
     
         8 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors are fabricated on the interior surface of the microtube. 
     
     
         9 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors are fabricated on the interior surface and one or more of the microsensors are fabricated on the exterior surface of the microtube. 
     
     
         10 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors are operatively coupled to a signal conditioning device, a data acquisition device, or both. 
     
     
         11 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the microsensors are operatively coupled to a data acquisition device operating multimodality monitoring software. 
     
     
         12 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the data obtained by the microsensors is monitored in real time, continuously, or both. 
     
     
         13 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the microtube is located or attached at or near the end of a stylet, needle, endoscope, or catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the substances delivered to the brain or removed from the brain are selected from the group consisting of drugs, chemicals, genes, cells, and calibrated buffer solution. 
     
     
         21 . The microtube according to  claim 1 , wherein the substances delivered to the brain or removed from the brain are minute volumes of liquids or gases.